Verdict in Trial of Norway Mass Murderer: Sane, Guilty

A court in Norway has handed down a verdict in the trial of Anders Breivik, who murdered 77 people. Breivik found sane, guilty.

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Maayana Miskin, 24/08/12 11:40

Anders Behring Breivik

Reuters

A court in Norway handed down its verdict Friday in the trial of Anders Behring Breivik, who murdered 77 people just over a year ago. Breivik carried out a bomb attack in Oslo, then entered a youth camp on Utoya Island and began shooting.

Breivik was found sane and guilty.

In an unusual twist, prosecutors had asked that Breivik be found insane, which would have guaranteed more prison time, while Breivik demanded that he be found guilty.

Breivik insists that he is not insane. He asked to be ruled sane so that his self-proclaimed motive of fighting multiculturalism and “Islamization” would not be dismissed.

He has claimed responsibility for his crimes, and gave testimony during the trial in which he admitted to shooting his victims, including many who were injured and could not escape.

The maximum prison sentence for his crimes is 21 years, but under Norway's preventative detention law, it can be extended if Breivik is considered a danger to society.